209 marijuana stalks uprooted in Balamban

CEBU, Philippines - Two hundred and nine stalks of marijuana worth P9,800 were uprooted by operatives of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operatives Task Group (PAIDSOTG) at barangay Bayong, Balamban yesterday afternoon.

Police Superintendent Teofilo Siclot, chief of the PAIDSOTG who led the operation said they uprooted 88 stalks of marijuana from sitio Dao, 112 stalks from sitio Taro and nine stalks from sitio Bagakay.

The operation against illegal drugs was in coordination with the Special Reaction Unit (SRU) and the Balamban Police Station led by Police Chief Inspector Januario Sario.

Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Erson Digal said the operation was successful but the amount of marijuana plants they uprooted was far from what they expected.

“Gamay lang ang nakuha sa PAIDSOTG personnel kay maglisod na sila ug saka sa bukid tungod sa panahon nga uwan-uwan,” Digal said added that the same team will go back to the area for another operation. (The operatives found it difficult to climb the mountains because of the heavy rains.)

Digal said the team was stranded for almost seven hours in the said barangay on their way home after their vehicle was blocked by a landslide.

Digal added that Siclot suffered from a sprain in his right leg after he slipped when he helped the team remove their vehicle from the mud. They had to call Balamban Mayor Ace Binghay, who immediately sent a pay loader.

Authorities have yet to determine who planted the marijuana. (FREEMAN)